"[The] Chrome Stable release includes support for the Web Speech API, which developers can use to integrate speech recognition capabilities into their Web apps," Glen Shires, Google software engineer and speech specialist, wrote in a blog post.

In introducing the feature last month, Shires urged users to "imagine if you could dictate documents, have a freestyle rap battle, or control game characters with your browser using only your voice."

Developers who take advantage of the technology could open the door to features like composing an email via the spoken word, as well as dictating searches, documents, and other text input.

The Chrome 25 update also disables silent extension installs in Chrome for Windows. "This keeps Chrome fast and safe by ensuring that you consent to every extension that's installed on your computer," Shires wrote.

The browser will auto-update to Chrome 25 for those who already have it; otherwise, it's available for download.

Chrome's Windows-based dev channel, meanwhile, was updated with the Chrome app launcher, a dedicated spot beyond the browser where users can access their apps.

"This is the same experience as the app launcher on Chromebooks, but for other platforms," Google said in a separate blog post. "It's available on Windows now, and will be coming to Mac OS X and Linux soon."

The dev channel is a pre-beta version of Chrome that's intended for developers and enthusiasts. "You'll need to install a Chrome packaged app, such as IRC client CIRC or Text Drive, in order to try out the Chrome app launcher," Google said.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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